Located in the town of Texas, WI, the 30-acre Big Cain Creek Preserve protects more than one-quarter mile of Big Cain Creek and a diverse forestland. Surrounded largely by developed and agricultural land, the property provides critical habitat for wildlife.

In 2025, Mary Binkley generously donated the property, and it became NCCT’s 4th public nature preserve. The donation also helped NCCT surpass more than 500 acres protected in Marathon County.

Throughout 2026, NCCT will be performing necessary improvements and expanding the trail network, through a grant provided by the Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin. A ribbon-cutting is planned for late summer to celebrate the official opening of preserve.

Big Cain Creek is classified as a Class 1 trout stream and an Exceptional Resource Water (ERW) to the state by the WDNR. ERWs provide outstanding recreational opportunities, support valuable fisheries and wildlife habitat, have good water quality, and are not significantly impacted by human activities. According to the WDNR, only 11% of Wisconsin’s total stream mileage is designated as ERW.